Swe Swe Aye | Myanmar Gazette
Swe Swe Myint, in her mid-50s, immigrated to the US with her family in 2000 through the Diversity Visa program.
She was originally an elementary school teacher in Burma. When her husband underwent two heart surgeries, however, she made the decision to become a caregiver after completing an online caregiver certification program in 2018.
Myint is a Fremont, California resident and a dedicated member of the One Myanmar Community organization in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Burmese social norms and the nature of caregiver work
In Burmese culture, there is a preference for caregivers and the clients to be of the same gender unlike in western countries. When Myint moved to a western country like America, she faced the challenge of adapting to cultural differences while trying to maintain her own cultural values.
Another obstacle she encountered was the language barrier, especially when interacting with non-Burmese clients from different ethnic backgrounds.
Myint recognized the importance of improving her English proficiency to better communicate with her clients. She devoted an hour every day after work to practice speaking English, often engaging in conversations with her daughter, who was born in the United States.
“My family members well understand my work and support me from the sidelines,” said Myint, underscoring the significance of familial encouragement in overcoming challenges for her career advancement.
Challenges in the community
A significant challenge faced by caregivers in the Burmese community is the narrow perspective regarding caregiver work.
Many Burmese immigrants, having endured years of racism and military dictatorship in Burma often view caregiving, including tasks like personal hygiene assistance, as undignified. This perception creates an additional obstacle for caregivers. Developing an open-minded attitude and recognizing the positive aspects of the caregiving job is essential.
Some family members of elderly Burmese clients, for instance, fail to distinguish between caregiving and domestic service, viewing caregivers as household maids. This lack of differentiation underscores the importance of establishing mutual respect between caregivers and their clients’ families within the community.
Bridging this gap in understanding and perception is crucial for fostering positive relationships between both parties.
Cultural competence
In caring for elderly Burmese individuals, there is a distinct preference for Burmese caregivers because effective communication rooted in cultural comprehension is vital. The seniors enjoy sharing their cherished memories from Burma, including customs and landmarks. They seek compassionate listeners who can empathize and engage harmoniously.
Myint, reflecting on her caregiving experiences, emphasized the significance of providing emotional support beyond physical care.
She recounted how reciting Buddhist prayers to a senior woman before bedtime instilled a sense of security, as did other Burmese customs such as removing shoes upon entering a house, and assisting senior clients with religious practices like serving monk visitors —especially on holy days.
Dealing with cultural differences
In a country as diverse as the United States, Myint aims to become a skilled and dedicated caregiver, providing top-notch service to individuals of all skin colors.
She said she was confident in her ability to serve clients well beyond the scope of Burmese culture, emphasizing the universality of aging as an experience. She believes quality care should be available to all elderly and incapacitated individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity.
“Every individual deserves equal access to compassionate and competent care from us,” she said.
When caring for non-Burmese clients, Myint initially encountered challenges in communication and culture differences. Despite initial hurdles in navigating cultural disparities, within a month, both she and her clients were able to establish a harmonious working relationship.
For instance, Myint adapted her homemade food to non-Burmese clients’ tastes by learning new recipes of spaghetti, potato salad, and mushroom soup, through YouTube. She also observed cultural differences in expressions of gratitude, as her devout Christian clients would express thanks through prayers, to which she would joyfully respond with “Amen.”
She acknowledged that failure to understand and respect cultural values could undermine the delivery of high-quality care for the clients.
Myint also emphasized the integration of her caregiver responsibilities with her volunteer commitments.
At the 20th annual Heritage Month celebration organized by the APA Heritage Foundation in San Francisco on May 1st, Myint displayed her cultural heritage by performing traditional Burmese dance with two other fellow dancers.
She said, “Participating in community work relieves daily stresses and renews my energy to pursue my caregiving career.”
Patience in daily challenges
Myint visits elderly homes in the morning, preparing meals, helping taking medications, handling chores, checking blood pressure, and assisting with diabetes care.
For clients needing help with toileting, she ensures proper cleaning and timely diaper changes to prevent sores. She assists with walking and provides support to those with weak legs or paralysis.
“The longer my career pathway, the more I have learned the importance of compassion,” Myint said, adding that she has found fulfillment in caring for her senior clients, treating them with the same level of care and respect she would give to her own parents.
Myint emphasized the importance of mindfulness in addition to physical tasks, explaining that “It’s crucial to avoid any mistakes for helping them taking medications. When feeding seniors, precautions must be taken to prevent choking.”
Some senior clients may exhibit agitation or aggression due to mental health issues or medication side effects. “Patience is key,” she added.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, frontline caregivers operated under similar presssures as healthcare professionals, and patience was more needed than ever.
Reflecting on her experiences during this time, Myint recounted ”I ensured all necessary documentation for travel and attended to my clients’ needs during the lockdown was enforced. We underwent Covid testing every two weeks and followed strictly to Covid-19 protocols. We know we had anti-Asian hate risks too.”
CalGROWS
The California Department of Aging launched CalGrows on June 5, 2023, a program offering free training including online courses for caregivers, including paid workers, home caregivers, community-based caregivers and unpaid family and friends.
Participants may get up to $6,000 to learn and use new caregiving skills, but must act soon as the program ends on August 30. https://www.calgrows.org/caregiver-trainings
Myint, a seasoned caregiver professional and dynamic community advocate, encouraged both established and new Burmese immigrants aspiring to become skilled caregivers in California to enroll in the CalGrows program www.calgrows.org before time runs out.
Caregivers can sign up for the program online at calgrows.org, by phone at (888) 991-7234 or by email at help@calgrows.org.
“Our community requires adept and culturally competent caregivers,” she said. “CalGrows is a unique and advantageous opportunity for our Burmese immigrants, particularly newcomers seeking well-compensated professional positions in California.”
This article was written with support from the Ethnic Media Services – CalGrows Fellowship Program. The fellowship aims to spotlight and celebrate home health care providers as essential — unsung heroes — to the health and wellbeing of older adults and people with disabilities, a population that represents out of four Californians as of 2030.
